President Rodrigo Roa Duterte yesterday  led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pulanai Hydroelectric Power Plant in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Based on the Department of Energy data, the 10.6 Megawatt Facility was among the hundreds of power generating projects approved by the department for this year.

The Pulanai plant, owned and operated by Repower Energy Development Corp., will rise in Zone 11, Hangaron, Barangay Lumbayao in Valencia City.

In his speech on Friday Dec. 9, Duterte congratulated Pure Meridian Hydropower Corporation for venturing into the hydroelectric power business.

He urged New People’s Army rebels to stay away from power plants and to stop demanding revolutionary taxes from the power companies.

“May I ask the New People’s Army, ‘wag itong hingaan kasi pag nagkuha kayo ng pera sa kanila, itong mga mag-plano naman kung paano pataasan nila ‘yung electric,” the President said.

The President told the communist rebels that aside from power plants, they should also keep away from other vital utilities such as communication.

“Energy, communications, everything, lay-off,” he said.

Meanwhile, the release of about 120 communist detainees cannot be done until the government makes major headway in the peace talks with the National Democratic Front.

President Duterte said he would have to delay the release of the prisoners, mostly members of the NPA.

“I denied it. I declined to do it because I have given so much too soon. Sabi ko sa kanila, produce to me a document which is that you have agreed to an indefinite ceasefire. Do not put the term there, huwag kang magbigay ng timeline because this will be a long and winding road sa negotiation,” he said.

The Pulanai Hydroelectric Power Plant is expected to help meet Mindanao’s power requirements and spur economic activity in Bukidnon.

Just recently, the President also led the ceremonial switch-on of the 135-kilowatt Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion power plant of Palm Concepcion Power Corporation in Iloilo at the Malacanan Palace.###PND